Further EIB projects support to be announced
For the first time, on October 21 and 22 the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Union's long-term financing institution, will hold its Board of Directors meeting and its regional forum in Istanbul. Headed by EIB President Mr Philippe Maystadt, the EIB Board will meet on October 21 and on this occasion its members will have the opportunity to visit two projects financed by the Bank in Turkey: the Istanbul Earthquake risk mitigation and the Bosphorus Tunnel and commuter rail system.
The EIB and the European Investment Fund (EIF) will also announce and sign new financing for Turkey for a total lending of EUR 850 million and an additional EUR 25 million for guarantees. Details on these agreements, which will be directed to public and private sector investments,will be provided upon signature during the Forum.
The EIB has been active in Turkey for more than 45 years and works with both the public and private sector. Total lending between 2004 and 2008 came to EUR 8.3 billion.
The EIB forum “Smart Growth for Turkey” will provide for consultations with the political, academic and business environment of Turkey and other countries concerned on the theme. Mr Mehmet Şimşek, Minister of Finance for Turkey, Mr Philippe de Fontaine Vive and Mr Mathias Kollatz-Ahnen, EIB Vice-Presidents will be amongst the keynote speakers for the Forum.
Please visit the EIB website www.eib.org for further information.
INVITATION TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES
Media representatives are kindly invited to participate as follows:
Venue:
Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus
Çırağan Caddesi No. 28,
34349 Beşiktaş, Istanbul, Turkey
Tel: +90 (212) 381 40 00
Fax: +90 (212) 381 40 10
www.fourseasons.com
Date: 21 October 2010
14.30-18.30 Visit of two projects financed by the EIB
Departure from/to Four Seasons by boat to the Asian side to visit the Marmaray Tunnel project sites (Harem) and Earthquake Reconstruction (Hagia Irene Museum in the historic old town)
Date: 22 October 2010
09.00-11.15 EIB FORUM “Smart Growth for Turkey”
Panel I: Paving the way for EU accession - Investing in Infrastructure
11.15-11.45 Signature of financing agreements with TUBITAK and Iller Bank
Hall: Bosphorus Prefunction A
11.45-14.00 EIB FORUM “Smart Growth for Turkey”
Panel II: Research and Development for a Sustainable Future
14.30 Signature ceremony and press conference for the Greater Anatolia Guarantee Facility (GAGF)
Hall: Ballroom A
Note to the editor:
About the EIB
The European Investment Bank (EIB) was created by the Treaty of Rome in 1958 as the long-term lending bank of the European Union. The Bank’s remit is to contribute towards the integration, balanced development and economic and social cohesion of the EU Member States. The EIB raises substantial volumes of funds on the capital markets which it lends on favourable terms to projects furthering EU policy objectives.